As the spring breeze caresses the greenery and all things awaken, our taste buds revive. In the beautiful spring light, with the evening glow shining down, a bowl of steaming San Cao (Three Herbs) Stewed Goose warms the soul.
With spring upon us, the nourishing people of Fujian invite you to enjoy a feast of medicinal cuisine, for life can be filled with sorrows, but delicious food can help dispel them.
01 In Fujian, Everything Can Be Medicinal Cuisine
Fujian is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one side. This land, where mountains and seas converge, is rich in resources, with 2576 types of medicinal plants.
To prevent and treat diseases and strengthen the body, people fully utilize herbs, mountain delicacies, and seasonal ingredients, combining them with health preservation practices, thus forming the unique Fujian medicinal cuisine.
In Pingnan, Ningde, in spring, people eat San Cao (Three Herbs) Stewed Goose, in summer, they drink Bai Jiang Cao (Patrinia) Small Intestine Soup, in autumn, they eat Mu Hao (Mugwort) Steamed Tender Duck, and throughout the year, they use Shan Cang Zi (Mountain Cangzi) Root to Stew Pig’s Trotters. According to the seasons, every household makes their own medicinal cuisine.
Image source: “A Bite of China 3”
The Hakka people fully utilize the traditional Chinese concept of “supplementing form with form.” For foot pain, they stew pig’s feet with herbs; for lung nourishment, they steam mother duck with Xiang Teng Gen (Atractylodes); for stomach health, they stew pig’s stomach with Hu Jiao (Pepper); Hakka rice wine stewed chicken and tea oil boiled eggs are excellent nourishing foods for postpartum recovery…
Shaxian and Fu’an stews come in various types, whether from the ground, the sea, or the sky, all paired with various herbs, such as Double Small Intestine Soup, Chao Gan (Stir-fried Clams) Stewed Pig’s Stomach, and Medicinal Black Chicken Soup… The aroma of meat fills the air, making it hard to resist.
In Sanming, the Lei Tea includes ginger and cinnamon to dispel dampness and cold in winter and spring; the Fuzhou Eight Treasures Stewed Duck is made with eight types of medicinal herbs, nourishing both Qi and blood; the Gutian Pig’s Stomach and Small Intestine Green Herb Soup is paired with unique thick fried noodles, creating an exceptional flavor…
With medicinal ingredients as the base and meat as the main dish, after several hours of stewing, the medicinal juices infuse the meat, releasing the unique aroma of medicinal cuisine. Enjoying Fujian medicinal cuisine in spring nourishes the body and comforts the hearts of those who miss their hometown.
02 In Fujian, No Herb is Left Unused
In addition to meat dishes and soups, the people of Fujian also make desserts with herbs.
The Xian Cao (Grass Jelly) made from the “Xian Cao” plant is a perennial favorite for cooling off in summer, available in various flavors throughout Fujian, and serves as a healthy alternative to milk tea.
The seaweed Shi Hua Cao (Stone Flower Grass) transforms into the trendy dessert Si Guo Tang (Four Fruit Soup), refreshing and delicious.
Over a thousand years ago, when scholars from the Central Plains fled to Fujian to escape war, they learned and practiced continuously in their struggle against nature, ultimately acquiring the skills of medicinal cuisine.
Thus, for the people of Fujian, eating is not just about filling the stomach; it is a custom, a belief, a tradition, a deep sense of homesickness, and a crystallization of survival wisdom passed down through generations.
Eating Fujian medicinal cuisine in spring promotes health and strengthens the body, while also comforting the hearts of every wanderer longing for home.
END
Fujian Cultural Tourism New Media Matrix
All-Fu Travel Smart Service Platform
gh_17bcf7b3bcac
Meet Fuzhou
fztour
Zhangzhou Cultural Tourism
zzlyj12301
Xiamen Cultural Tourism
visitxm
Ningde Cultural Tourism
ndly12301
Green City Sanming
smta12301
Putian Cultural Tourism
ptswhhlyj
Longyan Cultural Tourism
WLLY0597
Nanjing Cultural Tourism
npwlxc
Quanzhou Cultural Tourism Voice of the Maritime Silk Road
qztour
Pingtan V Tourism
pingtandao61
Please indicate the source when reprinting.